Combining SWOT and AHP for more effective strategic planning Conference

Ma, Y, Schmahl, KE. (2020). Combining SWOT and AHP for more effective strategic planning . 1038-1043.

cited authors

  • Ma, Y; Schmahl, KE

authors

abstract

  • In order to meet the needs of industry and improve the comprehensive quality of graduates, engineering programs must periodically assess the program and develop a strategic plan for future direction. It is a relatively common practice in both industry and academics to develop a SWOT (Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities/Threats) analysis to initiate the strategic planning process. Difficulties with effective use of SWOT include assessing the relationship between SWOT categories and relating the SWOT efforts to the subsequent proposed actions of the strategic planning effort. The application of a hybrid, approach using SWOT and AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) helps to overcome these challenges in the strategic planning process. This paper applied the combined method on a university program review. The factors of SWOT are brainstormed by two groups including faculties and students. PCA (Principal Component Analysis) is then used to aggregate the judgements for AHP calculation. With AHP analysis, the prioritization of strategies is determined. The results show that the strategy combination of SO(Strength and Opportunity) should be focused.

publication date

  • January 1, 2020

International Standard Book Number (ISBN) 13

start page

  • 1038

end page

  • 1043